CVE-2025-20188 Hardcoded credentials in Cisco IOS XE Software

Critical 10.0 Published 7 May 2025 Updated 6 Jun 2025

Unauthenticated attackers can upload arbitrary files and execute commands with root privileges due to a hard-coded JWT in Cisco IOS XE Wireless LAN Controllers.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2025-20188?

CVE-2025-20188 is a critical vulnerability in Cisco Ios Xe, published on 7 May 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

A vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download, the Clean Air Spectral Recording, and the client debug bundles features of Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected system. This vulnerability is due to the presence of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) on an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTPS requests to the AP file upload interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.

Weakness: CWE-798

Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-20188?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Cisco Ios Xe.

How do I fix CVE-2025-20188?

No fix has been published for CVE-2025-20188 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Is CVE-2025-20188 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2025-20188 exists.

Public exploit code: 1 Nuclei template.

All Cisco Ios Xe vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-489q-h7v6-2626.